Olde Thyme Aviation, Inc has been flying scenic biplane rides in delicious restored vintage aircraft for a full fifteen years now. While we certainly don't anticipate closing up the business in the near term, it is becoming clear that we are aging and someday will want to be "winding down" a bit.

After we use a plane for a lengthy period of time, we have it totally restored to our personal expectations. However, prior to putting a plane back into service at the Museum for rides, we offer it for sale to see if we can find an interested buyer. So, as you read below, you will find totally restored planes that have not been flown at all in the ride operation; fully restored planes that are currently in service, planes that are close to being taken out of service for restoration and planes that are in the restoration process in case anyone wants to "step in" at a crucial point where they can control the final finish (i.e. colors, etc.). Each plane has a unique story and set of circumstances. I attempt to explain how each plane was selected when we purchased it originally, whether it was for its specific history or the quality of workmanship at the time we bought it.

We always shop for planes based on the quality of the wood work, fabric and AIRFRAME. We do not shop for a plane based on its power plant as we assume automatically that whatever engine is on it, regardless of how it is represented, we will not fly it. For example, when we purchased the 1940 Waco UPF-7, we flew it to Salinas and pulled off the Continental Engine and replaced it with a newly rebuilt from Gold Coast Aviation simply because we have a personal knowledge of the workmanship, reputation and dependability that we can trust. The engine that we "scrapped" only had 45 hours on it, but we didn't have personal knowledge of how it was built! We never fly an airplane with the power plant that it is represented with unless we have had it built to our own specs or had it taken apart by our own AI.

Quick Links on this page

1929 Travel Air 4000 Flew Away

1927 Travel Air

1944_Boeing_Stearman_Model_E75

1936_Cabin_Waco_YKS-6

1942_WACO_UPF-7

1940 WACO UPF-7 

1944_PT-17_Yellow Stearman

1935 UKC-S_Green_Cabin_Waco

 

1929 Travel Air 4000 SOLD for $175.000 1929 Travel Air 4000 "E" Click for larger picture The Travel Air company competed head to head with all the other early burgeoning aircraft companies in the mid-1920s with similar concept airframes and Fokker imitation wings often with counterbalanced ailerons. In 1929, Travel Air modified its Travel Air 4000 and redesigned the ends of the upper wings to utilize Frieze ailerons and finished off the wingtips in a more modern rounded configuration which allowed the ends of the wings to add lift and load carrying capacity. This extra modification in both the weight carrying capacity and the finishing of the wings increased the popularity of this airplane markedly and caused the sales of the Travel Air 4000 with the "E" wing configuration to soar. There were more Travel Air 4000s of this wing design sold than all previous Travel Air 2000s, 3000s and 4000s combined. The airplane was originally configured with a Wright J-6 Whirlwind 5 cylinder radial engine with 165 horsepower @ 1800 rpm Currently powered with a Continental W-670 Radial Engine with 220 hp at 2150 RPM length overall                            24'1" height overall                             8'11" wingspan (upper)         33' wingspan (lower)         28'9" wing chord (upper)       5'6" wing chord (lower)       4'8" wing area (upper)       171 sq' wing area (lower)       118 sq' gross weight                               2,702 lbs empty weight                              1,695 lbs useful load                                  1,007 lbs payload with full fuel (67 gal.)         393 lbs maximum speed                           120 mph cruise speed                                 103 mph rate of climb                                 720 ft. per min. surface ceiling                          13,000 ft landing speed                                48 mph stall speed                                     39 mph normal cruising range                   650 miles fuel capacity                                 67 gal. oil capacity                                    6 gal. This aircraft is a full ground-up restoration and not simply a re-covering or rejuvenation. Every part of the aircraft was disassembled and rebuilt individually in a meticulous 4 year process with a professional shop/not a homebuilder or hobbyist. The reason this plane is price approximately $ 25,000 higher than other restored Travel Airs is because the wings are absolutely and totally brand new having been built by Mr. Travel Air himself, Mr. Frank Rezich of Paso Robles, California. This is one of the last sets of wings he built and he currently will not build any more sets of wings at any price! This is reason for the premium pricing. We would have saved $ 25,000 by restoring or rejuvenating the existing wings but chose not to do so. They are absolutely brand new including the center section with a new fuel tank. The fabric is done in the more highly desirable but much more time consuming butyrate dope over ceconite by Air Fab of Hollister California whom also did the covering and stitching. If any of you know their work, they use the "old art" processes but result in a finish just as polished or reflective as the aerothanes but affording the ability to work or repair the surfaces yourself down the road. The cost of the wings, covering and finishing on this plane was no less than $ 55,000. The color is Boston Maroon in a chevron pattern configuration on leading edges and Diana Cream. Gold Coast Aviation rebuilt the plane starting with the bead blasting and magnafluxing of the frame, epoxy coating, fittings, etc, fuel tanks, engine, etc. We have set this plane up for flight at modern airports using 8.50 X 10 tires and not the narrow taller original wheels which are an invitation to disaster to someone acquiring a vintage biplane but desiring to actually fly it rather than it simply becoming a hangar queen. The plane has a steerable scott 10" tailwheel on leaf springs. We are offering the plane in either of two engine configurations. The engine we currently have on this plane has 160 hours on it. This particular W-670 engine is custom built by Gold Coast Aviation and was used as the "test run" engine for the new W-670 replacement pistons of the harder alloy as developed in the STC. Consequently this engine also has the STCd roller bearings and valve guides which were STCd at the same time. The engine was finished off, at our special request, using a rare "Breeze" ring which is nearly impossible to find today which we had nickel plated. Instead of shielded plastic wiring coming from the back of the cylinders to the spark plugs, this engine shows the original braided wires going from the "Breeze" ring in the front of the engine directly to the spark plug leads. See photos. It gives a final touch that recalls the way ignition harness looked originally. The purchaser of this airplane will have the choice of taking the plane with the above described engine or we will install, at our cost, a zero time W-670 engine with skytronics harness (the more conventional configuration) but this engine will also have the roller bearings on the crankshaft (STC) and the new valve guides (STC). Including the original $ 45,000 paid for this airplane before it was disassembled for total restoration, we have spent over $ 195,000 on this airplane. This is way above the market and we realize this. We will make this plane available for the rest of 2004 and spring of 2005 before we phase the plane into our operation at the Museum of Flight to see if there is anyone who would like to own this beauty personally. Please do not call just to talk. We don't have time for this. If interested in a plane of this quality and pricing, fly out here and fly in the plane. We'll reimburse you for the plane ticket if you buy the airplane. Sold Flew Away $175,000 "Congratulation Peter G." 1927 Travel Air, #NC3823 $165,000  Brand New Restoration Click image for a larger size Zero Time Full Restoration, 10 hours on new engine with NOS crankshaft and very rare Continental 9” shielded breeze ring harness. (Same as what we sold on 1929 Travel Air shown above). This is our original biplane with which we started Olde Thyme Aviation. We flew it for five years and then took it out of service for a complete and total restoration starting with the bead blasting of the frame and rebuilding the entire plane. The airplane is very rare with the sought after “elephant ear” ailerons, new upholstery, updated avionics, intercom system, transponder, etc and we deliberately used the 8.50 by 10” tiers rather than the narrow wheels which have been the source of 3 Travel Air incidents in the Northwest on beautifully restored airplanes this year alone. Since full restoration, I have flown the plane to the McMinnville fly-in and the engine is still in its break-in procedure. The artwork shown in the photos is a memorial to Clayton Scott, local pioneer pilot who recently passed away at age 101 after the Renton Airport was named after him. Current artwork on the plane for use at the Museum Of Flight is of high quality vinyl and not permanently painted.  It is Removable with a hair dryer.. No expense has been spared on this restoration. It is basically a brand new 1927 airplane. $165,000 No trades! Cashier's check only    $ 5,000 to hold Cell - (206)-730-1412 Ask for Ken.

1944 Boeing Stearman Model E75

SOLD:125,000

1944 N2S-4 Boeing Stearman Model E75 - Mfg. Serial No. 75-5586 (U.S. Army Air Corp S/N 42- 17423. U.S. Navy S/N 52804)

2900 TTAF, 460 SMOH, Continental W-670 220 HP, Sensenich Wood Prop, Red-line Brakes, Immaculate Condition and Restoration. #N68462

This plane was one of the last model (E75) manufactured and was delivered to the U.S. Army Air Corp at the Wichita, Kansas plant of the Boeing Co. (former Stearman plant) during May of 1944 as a PT-13D (U.S. Navy N2S5). With the present Continental W-670 220 HP engine and Bendix landing gear, it is a PT 17 or a U.S. Navy Model N2S4. The data plate lists both Army and Navy serial nos. given above. The plane was originally all silver, as were all E75 Stearman near the close of World War II, whether for the Army Air Corp or the U.S. Navy.  However, for improved visibility, it is now painted AN Blue (fuselage) and AN Yellow (flying surfaces) as a somewhat earlier version of the trainer ordered by the Army but then delivered to the Navy, as was sometimes done during the war. The plane has been carefully researched for U.S. Navy markings that were specified during the period.  They are less ornate than those used by the Army at that time.

The plane was initially assigned to a contract pilot school at War Eagle Field in Lancaster, Calif. Later assignments were to Minter Field (Bakersfield), Mather Field (Sacramento), and ultimately to a Civil Air Patrol unit at Hill Field in Ogden, Utah, where it was offered for sale as surplus in 1949.  The total original cost to the U.S. Government in 1944 was $ 9,120.

 The plane has approximately 2582 hours on it and has always been configured as a two place trainer.  It is being flown now at Boeing Field. It has never had its frame cut and was never used as a sprayer! The plane was rebuilt at 1960 hours and totally restored (not recovered, but fully restored) in 1987. Since full restoration, the plane has only been flown 500 hours.  A new rebuilt engine was installed in 1999.  Since restoration it has been stored in an insulated hangar with a dehumidifier always operating. The plane is essentially like new except for the engine (334 hours SMOH by renowned Gold Coast Aviation in Salinas, California) and is very original except for the electric system (has both starter and generator), the avionics (Narco Mark 12D Nav/Comm. w/localizer & glide-slope, ELT, Transponder w/altitude encoder, Sigtronics intercom) and Whelen strobe/nav lights.  

Restoration, covering, painting (aerothane), assembly, rigging and testing were performed by well-known Stearman restorer/mechanic in the Northwest named Chuck Milton of Antique Aero from Snohomish, Washington, who maintained Joanne Osterud's aerobatic show aircraft for many years. Chuck was known as "Mr. Stearman" for his quality restoration work in the 1980s. His work was the equivalent then of what is seen today by Air Repair in Mississippi.  This plane was selected WARBIRD  GRAND  CHAMPION at the Arlington EAA 1987 Fly-IN and was later judged BEST OF CLASS (1936-45 Military) at the 1987 Northwest Antique Aircraft Fly-In held at Evergreen Field in Vancouver, WA. 

Olde Thyme Aviation ®  purchased this plane in 1999 with 2288 hours TTAF with a run-out engine. The plane had been properly stored for the prior four years once reaching TBO and hadn't been flown since then. After we purchased this plane for the quality and care of the finish, frame and woodwork we replaced the engine with a new rebuilt by Gold Coast Aviation. Gold Coast Aviation is legendary for the Continental-220 rebuilds it has specialized in for nearly 40 years. We only purchase from or have our engines on our entire fleet of biplanes worked on by Larry Lujan at Gold Coast in Salinas. We also had a new transponder installed. 

The plane weighs 2,175 without fuel, oil crew and baggage and has a max gross weight of 2,950; fully aerobatic (+6.67g to -2.67g) and with the certificated max gross weight of 2,950 is flown solo from the rear cockpit.

This plane had a "ground loop" on the return from Galesburg this September. Since we had to put a new lower right wing on the airplane anyway, we went ahead and stripped the fuselage, jigged it as if it were the start of a full new restoration, and did exactly that. We recovered the upper right wing  (new fabric and new fittings) at the same time. Other wings look totally brand new inside. So this plane is actually better than it started out on the way to Galesburg since we improved on some items in the fuselage which we noticed from the 1987 restoration that we would have done differently.......so we did. Final paint will be done this spring. $ 5,000 holds your plane until the new fuselage paint covering and wings are done probably in May.

Please do not call unless you are a ready buyer.

No trades considered.

Cashier's check only.

$ 5,000 to hold

 Because we work full-time daily and are often flying rides in our two-seaters, we cannot afford to talk other than to a serious potential buyer. We can deliver this plane to any location with a sale. $ 5,000 deposit to hold. National Parachutes available (new) at our cost.

Cell - (206)-730-1412 Ask for Ken.

Click image for a larger size

Sold Flew Away $125,000

"Congratulation Jim L."

Click image for a larger size

1936 Cabin Waco YKS-6

FOR SALE:

 $ 84,000

Once Owned by Walter Beech!2250 TTAF, 650 hours since full restoration, 460 SMOH R-755-B 275 H.P. Air Repair (w/22 STC mods), 100 SO on 2B20-9 Propeller with polished blades. Beautiful total restoration by William Bohannon in Columbus, Ohio in 1997.  Finished in Alumagrip polyurethane finish. Constant speed prop cruises at 110 mph at 2000 RPM and 18" manifold pressure. Have personally flown the plane over 11,000' altitude. This plane flies like a dream. All the feel and style of biplane flying in more comfort. Great to lengthen the season and good for fall and winter. This engine loves cold weather. Plane has a colorful history, including being owned by Walter Beech (documented). This is the plane that was owned by Walter Beech personally (documented) in the years prior to his developing the Staggerwing.  The Cabin Waco is a poor man's "Beaver." One of only 65 original YKS-6 airplanes built; no idea how many are left. We know of only a half dozen others.

The reason this plane is priced at only 85,000 instead of 100,000, is that it is a "working airplane"  that I use nearly every day for my regular job. It is not a hangar queen. Consequently from my constant use, the urethane based alumagrip finish eventually forms a few "craze lines" at the edges of the stringers and where someone has occasionally put a foot against some fabric. I touch it up each season and from a distance the plane "shimmers" as if it were a perfect finish. Up close, once can fine the craze marks that don't bother me as I use the plane for work. It does not need to be recovered or repainted and can be flow exactly as it is for another 10-15 years before recovering.

650 hours since full restoration in 1994-complete photo history of restoration

$ 84,000

No trades!

Cashier's check only   

$ 5,000 to hold

Please call to discuss this plane only if you are a qualified buyer. We are too busy flying rides to take too much time to talk, although we'll spend hours with the proper buyer who really wants to take care of this collectible.

Cell - (206)-730-1412 Ask for Ken.

Click image for a larger size

Click image for a larger size

Cell - (206)-730-1412 Ask for Ken.